.“

    ‘Come on, then.“

    e used to gouge a ipped t, and o cover t, and to urbance.

    ‘It  ing of trouser legs.

    ‘Aurelius, to your story.“

    I led o anot of t your mot you oo.” I indicated Ambrose’s gravestone.

    t   explains ther.“

    I paused. It  for Aurelius to take in. er a long moment  on. “he was a good man. You are very like him.”

    Aurelius stared. Dazed. More knowledge. More loss. “he is dead. I see.”

    ‘t’s not all,“ I said softly. urned o mine, and I read in t to be no end to tory of .

    I took  him.

    ‘After you were born, Ambrose married. her child.“

    It took a moment for o realize  meant, and ement brougo life. “You mean… I have… And she… he… she—”

    ‘Yes! A sister!“

    the smile grew broad on his face.

    I  on. “And surn. A boy and a girl!”

    ‘A niece! And a nephew!“

    I took o mine to stop ting you.”

    I could e and strode doo te gate te was because of me.

    ‘Aurelius! I almost forgot to give you this.“

    ook te envelope and opened it, distracted by joy.  t? Not really?”

    ‘Yes. Really.“

    ‘today?“

    ‘today!“ Somet t moment. I did someted to do, eited at top of my voice, ”hDAY!“

    I must  mad. In any case, I felt embarrassed. Not t Aurelius cared. anding motionless, arms stretc on eiturned skyhe snow.

    In Karen’s garden ts of cprints and smaller ones folloo be seen, but as  nearer we ree.

    ‘Let’s play Snow e.“

    ‘t’s a girls’